BSc (Hons) in Mathematical Sciences and Physics
Overview
National Framework Of Qualifications (NFQ) Level: 8
NFQ Award Class: Major Award
Duration Full Time: 4 Academic Year(s)
Total Credits: 240
Delivery Method: In-Person
Connected Curriculum:
- Employability
- Global Reach
- Inter-and Transdisciplinary
- Research Based Teaching
- Sustainability
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Quality Education
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Climate Action
Graduate Attributes:
- Creator, evaluator and communicator of knowledge
- Digitally Fluent
- Effective global citizen
- Independent and creative thinker
- Socially Responsible
Work-Integrated Learning (Including Placement):
No
Regulations and Programme Requirements
Students enter the BSc (Hons) Mathematical Sciences and Physics through CK407 (Mathematical Sciences) Area of Study or CK408 (Physics and Astrophysics) Area of Study.
Notes:
- The final set of electives and 'project-related' modules offered is subject to the availability of adequate staff resources and therefore may need to be a subset of those indicated.
Eligibility for Entry to Second Year Programmes
Students from the Mathematical Sciences Area of Study (CK407) who take the Physics modules PY1052 and PY1053 in First Science, and who pass First Science, will be eligible to enter the Joint Honours programme in Mathematical Sciences and Physics. Students from the Physics Area of Study (CK408) who take Option 2 and, in addition, the elective modules AM1053, AM1054 and MA1057, and who pass First Science, will be eligible to enter the Joint Honours programme in Mathematical Sciences and Physics.
BSc Ordinary Degree - NFQ Level 7, Major Award
Students who pass Third Year may choose not to proceed to Fourth Year and may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree.
Programme Requirements
For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements.
Programme Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 60 | |
| CK407 | ||
| or | ||
| CK408 | ||
| Year 2 | ||
| Students take 60 credits as follows: | ||
| Core Modules | ||
| AM2052 | Mathematical Modelling | 5 |
| AM2060 | Object Oriented Programming with Applications | 5 |
| AM2071 | Transform and Variational Methods | 5 |
| MA2072 | Complex Analysis | 5 |
| MA2051 | Mathematical Analysis I | 5 |
| MA2055 | Linear Algebra | 5 |
| MA2071 | Multivariable Calculus | 5 |
| PY2101 | Classical Mechanics | 5 |
| PY2102 | Introduction to Quantum Physics | 5 |
| PY2103 | Electrostatics and Magnetostatics | 5 |
| PY2106 | Introduction to Astrophysics and Special Relativity | 5 |
| PY2107 | Experimental Physics I | 5 |
| Year 3 | ||
| Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (35 credits) and 25 credits of elective modules: | ||
| Core Modules | ||
| MA3064 | Measure Theory and Integration | 5 |
| AM3051 | Vector and Tensor Methods | 5 |
| PY2104 | Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | 5 |
| PY3102 | Quantum Mechanics | 5 |
| PY3103 | Electromagnetism | 5 |
| PY3104 | Statistical Thermodynamics | 5 |
| PY3107 | Experimental Physics II | 5 |
| Elective Modules | ||
| Students take modules to the value of 10 credits from the following: | 10 | |
| Optics (5) 1 | ||
| Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics (5) 1 | ||
| Nuclear and Particle Physics (5) 1 | ||
| Observational Astrophysics (5) | ||
| Plus modules to the value of 15 credits from the following: | 15 | |
| Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and Wave Theories (5) | ||
| Partial Differential Equations with Applications I (5) | ||
| Topics in Applied Mathematics (5) | ||
| Dynamical Systems and Bifurcation Theory (5) | ||
| Computer Modelling and Numerical Techniques (5) | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations (5) | ||
| Ring and Field Theory (5) | ||
| Metric Spaces and Topology (5) | ||
| Introduction to Modern Algebra (5) | ||
| Introduction to Differential Geometry (5) | ||
| Probability and Mathematical Statistics (10) | ||
| Year 4 | ||
| Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (10 credits) and 50 credits of elective modules from the following lists: | ||
| Project | ||
| MS4090 | Mathematical Sciences Project | 10 |
| or PY4115 | Research Project | |
| Elective Modules | ||
| Students take modules to the value of 25 credits from Lists A and B: | 25 | |
| List A 2 | ||
| Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and Wave Theories (5) | ||
| Partial Differential Equations with Applications I (5) | ||
| Topics in Applied Mathematics (5) | ||
| Dynamical Systems and Bifurcation Theory (5) | ||
| Ring and Field Theory (5) | ||
| Metric Spaces and Topology (5) | ||
| Stochastic Modelling I (5) | ||
| List B | ||
| Partial Differential Equations with Applications II (5) | ||
| Perturbation and Asymptotic Methods (5) | ||
| Network Science with Applications (5) | ||
| Functional Analysis (5) | ||
| Measure Theory and Martingales (5) | ||
| Topics in Modern Algebra (5) | ||
| Topics in Differential Geometry (5) | ||
| Stochastic Analysis (5) | ||
| Students take modules to the value of 25 credits from Lists C and D: | 25 | |
| List C 2 | ||
| Optics (5) 1 | ||
| Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics (5) 1 | ||
| Nuclear and Particle Physics (5) 1 | ||
| List D | ||
| Advanced Quantum Mechanics (5) | ||
| Advanced Electromagnetism (5) | ||
| Advanced Condensed Matter Physics (5) | ||
| Atomic and Molecular Physics (5) | ||
| Relativistic Quantum Theory (5) | ||
| Introduction to Lasers and Photonics (5) | ||
| Advanced Computational Physics (5) | ||
| Stars and the Interstellar Medium (5) | ||
| Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics (5) | ||
| Gravitation and Cosmology (5) | ||
| Experimental Physics III (5) | ||
| Quantum Optics (5) | ||
| Physics of Semiconductor Devices (5) | ||
| Total Credits | 240 | |
- 1
At least 2 of these 3 modules must be taken during years 3 and 4.
- 2
A total of at most 15 credits may be taken from the combination of Lists A and C, and only modules not previously taken may be chosen
Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) in Mathematical Sciences and Physics (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Apply their knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts, theories, principles and methods of mathematical sciences to analyse and solve problems of a mathematical nature;
- Demonstrate mastery of the core concepts of several areas of mathematical sciences and recognise the interdependency of different areas;
- Communicate with researchers of diverse scientific backgrounds and disciplines, contributing to formulation, testing and verification of mathematical models and solution of science problems by methods of mathematics;
- Identify, formulate, analyse and solve physics problems;
- Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in physics;
- Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion.
*** Only for Incoming First Years, Repeat First Years, Second Years and Repeat Second Years 2025/2026 ***
*** Click here for Marks and Standards for all other years ***
Marks and Standards
These Marks and Standards should be read in conjunction with the Programme Requirements and the Book of Modules.
Fitness to Practise
All students on programmes subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards, in order to progress to the next year of his/her/their programme. Click here for a list of programmes subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy.
First Year - Marks and Credits
Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.
First Year - Pass and Progression Criteria
To pass first year and progress to second year, students must achieve:
- An aggregate mark of 40% across all modules,
- A pass mark in modules to the value of at least 50 credits, and
- A module mark of at least 30% in any remaining modules.
Pass by Compensation: Students who satisfy each of the above criteria are allowed to compensate in modules to the value of 10 credits and pass the year overall.
Second Year - Marks and Credits
Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.
Second Year - Pass and Progression Criteria
To pass second year and progress to third year, students must achieve:
- An aggregate mark of 40% across all modules,
- A pass mark in modules to the value of at least 50 credits, and
- A module mark of at least 30% in any remaining modules.
Pass by Compensation: Students who satisfy each of the above criteria are allowed to compensate in modules to the value of 10 credits and pass the year overall.
Award of Honours in the Degree Award
Honours are only awarded in the final year of the degree.
Examination Boards
- Provisional marks for Semester 1 examinations are released in January/February of each year. These marks are subject to approval at the University Examination Board.
- Marks for all modules taken in Semester 1 and 2, including those wholly assessed by Continuous Assessment, will be presented to the University Examination Board at the end of Semester 2.
Supplemental Examinations and Assessment
- Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.
- Please refer to the Book of Modules for requirements governing the Supplemental Examination and Assessment for individual modules. Note: For some modules there is no Supplemental Examination and Assessment.
- The marks achieved in the Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment of a repeat module are considered at the Autumn Examination Board.
- The actual mark achieved by the candidate in the Supplemental or Repeat Year Examination will be recorded on the student record (Academic Transcript).
- The maximum mark that will be taken into account for aggregation and progression purposes is a pass level, unless the student has been granted a cap waiver or deferral by the University Mitigation Committee, or a University Examination Board, or has been approved to defer the previous attempt by the University Mitigation Committee.
- At the Autumn Examination Board, marks from all passed modules approved at the Summer Examination Board are carried forward and are combined with the marks achieved in Supplemental Examinations and/or Assessments. The pass and progression criteria are applied to the aggregate mark achieved.
Note: The mark achieved at the last examination/assessment attempt is the mark that is included in the calculation of the aggregate mark for pass and progression purposes.
Study Abroad
- When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, they will be assessed by his/her/their host university.
- To pass the study abroad period and progress to the subsequent year, a student must achieve a pass standard as applied by the host institution.
- A Pass/Fail judgement will be presented to the UCC Examination Boards:
- At the Summer Examination Board for students spending Semester 1 abroad.
- At the Autumn/Winter Examination Board for students spending the full academic year abroad or Semester 2 only.
- For students failing to achieve a pass mark, Supplemental Assessment will be prescribed by the School in UCC, and these results will be presented at a Winter Examination Board.
Exemptions
All passed modules carry an exemption, which is limited to a period of five academic years (or two in the case of Computer Science modules) subsequent to the award of the exemption.
Repeat Year Examinations
Students repeating the year may do so choosing one of the following mechanisms:
1. Students retain module exemptions, if any, and must repeat all failed/absent modules, including those modules where the failing mark previously achieved was greater than the level of compensation (≥ 30%) but who failed to achieve the progression standard for the year (see above). The pass and progression criteria are then applied to the combination of full marks achieved in modules passed at the first attempt, plus capped marks achieved in modules in the Repeat Year Examinations.
Note: For students selecting different modules not previously taken, there are no restrictions on the marks awarded for those modules at the first attempt in a repeat year. The selection of different modules by the student means that the student foregoes any previous marks achieved in the original modules (including previously passed modules).
2. Students may forego all module exemptions achieved and repeat the year choosing modules to the value of the full 60 credits. In determining pass and progression, there is no restriction on the marks awarded for modules taken at the first attempt of the Repeat Year. Modules taken at the subsequent Supplemental Examination and Assessment are capped at the pass mark.
Subject to capacity, all students - whether they have failed or passed - are allowed to choose this second option, in an attempt to improve his/her/their grade.
Students repeating the final year are eligible for the award of Honours in the first Repeat Year only. Final year students wishing to repeat the year with a view to improving his/her/their degree result may do so only if they have not been conferred.
Three Year Rule
Students must pass/progress within three academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme.
Terms and Definitions
Programme Description
- The programme description is outlined in the Programme Requirements tab.
Module Descriptions/Assessment
- Module descriptions, including the pass standard for a module, special requirements to pass a module, and assessment elements and their weightings, are contained in the Book of Modules.
Marks and Credits
- A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for every five credits of a programme.
- Some modules are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis only, i.e. marks are not awarded.
Pass and Progression
- Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic year for the next set of modules within his/her/their programme of study.
- Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit to be awarded on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her/their performance in the other modules on his/her/their programme of study.